2025 Toyota Corolla GR Sport Review

Today, the competition in Malaysia's C-segment sedan market is becoming increasingly intense. Consumers want the practicality of a family car while also pursuing driving pleasure and quality beyond the base models—the 2025 Toyota Corolla GR Sport is here to meet these needs. As the sporty division of the Corolla family, it retains the core advantages of a family car while enhancing handling characteristics through tuning updates and exclusive design. In this test drive, we will focus on verifying whether it can truly balance the dual demands of "daily commuting" and "occasional spirited driving."

From a distance, the 2025 Corolla GR Sport appears lower and sportier compared to the standard version, with an overall tight, sporty style. The front end features a blacked-out honeycomb grille complemented by sharp LED headlight clusters on either side, which have high recognition when the L-shaped daytime running lights within are illuminated. A sporty front lip has been added to the lower part of the front bumper, further enhancing the horizontal visual effect. The smooth side profile showcases 18-inch glossy black multi-spoke wheels paired with 225/40 R18 low-profile tires, explicitly highlighting its sporty positioning. The side skirts and blacked-out outer rearview mirror covers add more depth to the side design. At the rear, the blacked-out LED taillight clusters feature a horizontal through-design (with decorative elements in the center), and the rear diffuser design, along with the dual-exit exhaust layout (which is actually hidden), enhances the sporty vibe. The lighting system comes standard with LEDs across the lineup, and features like auto headlights and front fog lights improve convenience for daily use.

Sitting inside, the interior is primarily black with red stitching and exclusive GR branding to create a sporty ambiance. The dashboard is wrapped in soft-touch materials, providing a good tactile feel. The 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster offers clear displays and multiple modes, allowing for real-time information on vehicle power output, fuel consumption, and more. The 10-inch central touchscreen, located at the top of the center console, is responsive and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. In terms of features, the front row is equipped with dual-zone automatic climate control, and the rear features independent air vents and USB ports, ensuring no compromise in comfort. The driver's seat supports 8-way power adjustment, while the passenger seat is manually adjustable. The seats offer moderate support, ensuring comfort during long rides. The rear seats can be folded down in a 60:40 ratio to expand trunk space, which reaches a decent level when folded down—sufficient for storing strollers or luggage for daily needs. It is worth mentioning that the car is equipped with 7 airbags throughout, and the TSS Intelligent Safety System (including ACC adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, front collision warning, etc.) comes standard, making the safety features stand out in its class.

In terms of space, the dimensions of the car are 4635mm in length, 1780mm in width, and 1435mm in height, with a 2700mm wheelbase. These measurements place it as a mainstream choice within the C-segment. The front seat space is spacious, with a 180cm tall individual having about a fist's worth of headroom after adjusting their seating position. The rear offers approximately two fists' worth of legroom and a fist of headroom, with a slightly raised central floor that does not inconvenience short-term middle-seat passengers. Regarding storage, the front door panels can hold two 500ml water bottles, the center console box has a considerable depth, and the front cup holders can accommodate various cup sizes. The trunk has a standard capacity of about 470L, which is more than sufficient for daily family use.

In terms of power, it is equipped with a 1.8L naturally aspirated engine, with a maximum horsepower of 139PS and a maximum torque of 172N·m, paired with a 10-speed CVT gearbox (with paddle shifters). During daily driving, the initial response is brisk, and the torque output in low RPM ranges is smooth, making it suitable for city commuting. When accelerating with a deep throttle, the gearbox simulates gear shifts, and as the RPM climbs above 4000, the power has a noticeable burst. For overtaking, as long as you accelerate in advance, it’s adequately confident. There are three driving modes available: ECO, Normal, and Sport. Under Sport mode, the throttle response becomes more sensitive, and the steering wheel feels heavier, suitable for moments when you want to "test the waters" a little.

Handling and chassis performance are highlights of the GR Sport. The front MacPherson strut and rear double wishbone independent suspension have been sportily tuned, providing overall support that is stronger than the standard version of the Corolla. When cornering, body roll is well-controlled, and the suspension quickly stabilizes the body, giving the driver sufficient confidence. When passing over speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension filters out vibrations crisply without excessive resonance, balancing sportiness and comfort. The steering wheel offers precise handling with minimal dead zones—light at low speeds and steady at high speeds—making everyday driving very user-friendly. The braking system performs steadily, with a linear brake pedal feel. During emergency braking, the vehicle remains stable, without significant nose dives.

In terms of fuel consumption, we drove approximately 50km each on urban roads and highways, resulting in a combined fuel consumption of about 6.5L/100km. This performance ranks above average among naturally aspirated vehicles of the same displacement, offering decent fuel economy. As for noise control, wind and tire noise will seep into the cabin slightly at high speeds but do not affect normal conversations. Engine noise becomes more noticeable at high RPMs, but during daily commutes, when RPMs remain below 2000, the cabin is quite quiet.

In summary, the core strengths of the 2025 Toyota Corolla GR Sport lie in its sporty exterior design, comprehensive safety features, balanced space, and a chassis tuned for both comfort and agility. Compared to competitors in its class (such as the Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo and the Mazda 3 2.0L), it offers more comprehensive safety configurations and a more competitive price (RM 149,800). It is suitable for those looking for the practicality of a family car while also having a degree of driving pleasure. If you're a family user around 30 years old, mainly using the car for city commuting and occasional weekend trips, with a desire to experience driving fun from time to time, then this car is a good choice.

Overall, the 2025 Corolla GR Sport is not a purely performance-oriented car but a "sporty family car"—a vehicle that maintains the reliability and practicality of the Corolla family while meeting consumers' desire for sportiness through detailed tuning and configuration upgrades. If you're looking for an "all-around" sedan, it’s worth considering.